Pence and Co argue that Obama’s plans are too difficult to implement given Indiana’s reliance on coal-fired power plants, and claim the state would struggle to reduce carbon emissions by up to 20 percent as its reliance on coal is more than twice the national average. Targets proposed by the Environmental Protection Agency outline that plants in Indiana, which produced 1,923 pounds of carbon pollution per megawatt hour of electricity in 2012, will need to reduce outgoings by around 400 megawatts per hour by 2030.

To echo EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy’s sentiments regarding flexibility, we hope the state of Indiana can come up with an innovative way to reduce greenhouse gases without jeopardizing jobs and increasing energy costs for its residents because participation from all areas of the U.S. – and the glove – is essential.

Throughout my 24 years of working in hospitality, I’ve seen the industry persevere through many obstacles by changing its key practices and overall approach, and most recently, ultimately overcoming the aftermath of the 2008 recession.

Even today, as general manager of Hampton Inn Batesville, a position I’ve held for nearly 16 years, I am still witnessing the gradual upturn in business. During the last half of 2012, I’ve seen more leisure traffic than in many years’ past, with more people wanting to venture farther away from home as the economy slowly recovers.

This increase in business has also fueled a fundamental shift in business practices – moving more towards finding ways to satisfy the consumer’s needs, while remaining conscious of bottom line. One business practice in particular that we’ve begun implementing is sustainability – a venture that comes with many benefits, including appealing to green lodgers, preserving the environment and saving on costs.

An example of these benefits came into play when The Refinishing Touch completed a large-scale refinishing project at our Batesville location. At the time, we were looking for a solution to preserve our locally purchased case goods. We didn’t want to replace them, since they’re well liked amongst our guests and staff, and are very high-quality assets. After hearing positive feedback from a Hampton Inn corporate representative (whom The Refinishing Touch has worked with before), I was convinced – furniture asset management was the right solution for our hotel.

The Refinishing Touch team restored numerous wardrobes, desks, nightstands and luggage benches in 80 of our guest bedrooms, back to their original, like-new condition. Scratches and common wear were erased, all in a quick and seamless process. One of the best aspects of working with The Refinishing Touch was the fast on-site refinishing process, which helped us avoid completely shutting down the establishment. The production team was very conscious of our business operations, and when a block of rooms were occupied, they would only renovate them as they became vacant.

By investing in The Refinishing Touch’s furniture asset management services, we saved thousands of dollars, or about 80 percent in budget costs. Our case goods look new again, and we continue to receive positive feedback from guests and staff members alike. Not only did we save money, but we also saved an estimated 90 percent in carbon emissions, when compared to buying new furniture – helping reduce negative impact on the environment.

And Hampton Inn Batesville’s green initiatives do not stop there. We offer a towel and linen reuse program and have installed water aerators on our faucets, reducing water consumption. The free daily breakfast bar is equipped with ‘Enviroware’ plastic ware, a product that is easily compostable. We have also changed our light bulbs to become more energy efficient and provide recycling bins throughout the hotel.

If you are ever in Southeastern Indiana, why not book a stay at Hampton Inn Batesville and discover a balance of luxury, comfort and sustainability. We are conveniently located between Cincinnati and Indianapolis, right near golf courses, parks and water ways. To reserve your room today, visit our website.

One of our most recent examples of these cost-efficient and environmentally-sound practices was at the Hampton Inn Batesville, a Southeastern Indiana subdivision of the Hampton hotel brand. In a matter of days, our production crew refinished and restored numerous case goods, including wardrobes, desks, nightstands, headboards, bathroom vanities and luggage benches, back to modern, like-new condition.

The refinishing project was completed on-site using non-toxic lacquers with low Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), maintaining indoor air quality and ensuring the safety of guests and hotel employees. Through our clean and non-toxic practices, Hampton Inn Batesville could remain open during renovations – satisfying clientele while avoiding costly shut-down expenses.

Here’s a closer look into the numbers for this large-scale refinishing project:

– The Refinishing Touch team worked on a total number of 66 guest rooms during this project.

– By investing in our services, Hampton Inn Batesville saved 92.5% in budget costs when compared to buying new furniture.

– The estimated total cost for a project of this magnitude would be more than $330,000, but The Refinishing Touch’s refinishing solutions dropped it down to just over $25,000.

– The hotel decreased its estimated carbon footprint, or amount of projected greenhouse gas emissions, from 96.4964 tons of carbon dioxide to a minimal 0.9548.

In a press release, Mary Ann Hart, general manager of Hampton Inn Batesville, said: “We were looking for an alternative to replacing our furniture, since the case goods were high-quality and liked amongst our staff. The Refinishing Touch was the perfect choice, preserving our existing assets while saving over $300,000 in budget costs.”